Gas Lighter

ABSTRACT

A gas lighter provided with a to a clamping device adapted to improve the coordination between the butane tank and internal units in the cover to simplify the molds required in the manufacturing process includes a hollow tank, a cover, and an internal unit; the tank being articulated by means of a hinge to an end wall on the top of the opening of the tank; and an elastic press member extending from the articulation plate disposed in the tank towards one end at the bottom of the tank; and the elastic press member being matched to the internal unit by tightly compressing it.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(a) Field of the Invention

The present invention is related to a gas lighter, and more particularly, to a clamping device adapted to improve the coordination between the butane tank and internal units in the cover.

(b) Description of the Prior Art

Some of the gas lighters other than disposal ones generally available in the market are designed with a cover articulated to a butane tank containing an internal unit. The internal unit may be made retractable without relying upon any hand tool or not. A gas-filler is disposed on the bottom or one side of the butane tank. The internal unit and the tank are properly secured to each other to prevent from moving around inside the tank under normal operation status of the gas lighter. One of the ways to check the securing means is to manually lay out the side of the internal unit at the bottom of the tank and then insert the internal unit into tank for checking out if the internal unit and the tank match with each other. If not, the process of lying out and inserting the internal unit into the tank is repeated until both of the internal unit and the tank are correctly matched with each other. There are many designs having been developed for the matching between the internal unit and the butane tank of the gas lighter. As taught in Patent No. 01810149.6 titled a gas lighter disposed with multiple mounting ribs, lateral ribs are disposed crossing the side wall of the internal unit or the butane tank of the gas lighter; however, extra process molds are needed in the manufacturing process of the gas lighter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary purpose of the present invention is to provide to gas lighter that allows easy process by simplifying the art of the molds needed in the manufacturing process.

To achieve the purpose, the present invention includes a hollow tank, a cover and an internal unit. A chamber is disposed in the cover in relation to the tank. The cover chamber and the tank chamber define a cavity to accommodate the internal unit. A hinge is disposed to one end wall of the top of the opening of the tank is articulated to the cover. The hinge includes a first articulation plate and a second articulation plate with both hinged to each other by means of an articulation pivot. The first articulation plate is locked to the inner sidewall of the cover and the second articulation plate is locked to the inner sidewall of the tank. The present invention is characterized in that an elastic press member extends from the articulation plate disposed in the tank towards one end of the bottom of the tank to compress the internal unit.

The relation between the extension from the articulation plate disposed in the tank towards one end of the bottom of the tank and the tank wall indicates a fork shape to tightly compress the internal unit in the tank.

A protrusion is disposed at the extension from the articulation plate disposed in the tank towards one end of the bottom of the tank to tightly compress the internal unit in the tank.

The second articulation plate disposed in the tank made of three integrated parts has its upper part articulated to the first articulation plate in the cover with the middle part being related to a fixation section and secured by insertion into a slot provided on the end wall.

The second articulation plate in the tank also comprised of three parts has it upper part articulated to the first articulation plate in the cover and the middle part of the second articulation plate is related to a fixation section soldered to the inner side of the end wall or adhered to the slot provided on the end wall so to compress the internal unit and locked or soldered to the fixation section of the second articulation plate.

The head comprised of three integrated parts has its lower end articulated to the second articulation plate in the tank. The middle part is related to a fixation section to be inserted to a slot disposed on the wall and the top end extends to define a cavity with the inner wall of the cover to accommodate a locating member of the internal unit. The locating member is articulated to the body of the internal unit.

The first articulation plate disposed in the cover is made of three integrated parts and has its lower end articulated to the second articulation plate in the tank. The middle part related to a fixation section soldered or adhered to the inner side of the end wall. The top of the first articulation plate extends to define a cavity with the inner wall of the cover for the locating member of the internal unit. The locating member is articulated to one end of the body of the internal unit.

The present invention easily overcomes the correct matching problem between the tank and the internal unit by extending the articulation plate in the tank towards one end at the bottom of the tank to tightly compress the internal unit. Since this method involves a direct change on the hinge, change of other parts of the product is not required to simplify the process.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a construction of a gas lighter of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a construction of a cover and a tank of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a construction of a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a magnified view of Part A in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a magnified view of Part B in FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing a construction of a third preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a magnified view of Part C in FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, a first preferred embodiment of a gas lighter of the present invention includes a hollow tank 1, a cover 2, and an internal unit 3. A chamber 21 disposed in the cover 2 at where in relation to the tank 1 and a chamber 11 in the tank 1 define a cavity to accommodate the internal unit 3 of the gas lighter. On end wall at the top of the opening of the tank 1 is pivoted to the cover 2 by means of a hinge 4. The hinge 4 is comprised of a first articulation plate 41 and the second articulation plate 42 with both articulated to each other by means of an articulation pivot 43. The first articulate 41 is locked to the inner sidewall of the cover 2 and the second articulation plate 42 is locked to the inner sidewall of the tank 1.

An elastic press member extends from the second articulation plate 42 in the tank 1 towards one end at the bottom of the tank 1 to tightly compress the internal unit. As illustrated in the preferred embodiment, the internal unit 3 can be removed and restored manually without depending on hand tool while preventing the moving of the internal unit 3 in the tank 1 during the normal operation of the gas lighter due to the improper matching between the internal unit 3 with the tank 1.

To ensure proper compression, the relation between a part extended from the second articulation plate 42 in the tank 1 towards one end at the bottom of the tank 1 and the tank 1 indicates a fork shape. Accordingly, when the internal unit 3 is inserted into the chamber 11 of the tank 1, the body of the internal unit 3 compresses the fork elastic press member and the resultant counter force is applied on the internal unit 3 to accomplish the tight matching. Under the condition, a certain distance is usually kept between the lower end surface of the second articulation plate 42 and bottom of the inner side of the tank 1 for the second articulation plate 42 to be immune from force externally applied in the course of the operation of the gas lighter. Alternatively, in a second preferred embodiment of the present invention as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5, a protrusion 422 is disposed at the part extended from the second articulation plate 42 in the tank 1 towards one end at the bottom of the tank 1. Once the internal unit 3 is inserted into the chamber 11 of the tank 1, the protrusion as compressed by the body of the internal unit 3 exercises proper counter-force on the body of the internal unit 3 to accomplish tight matching. The second articulation plate 42 is given with the best form in the preferred embodiment by having it comprised of three integrated parts with the upper part articulated to the first articulation plate 41 in the cover 2; the mid part being related to a fixation section locked to a slot disposed on the end wall of the tank 1; and its lower part being related to an elastic press member to accomplish tight match with the internal unit. The second articulation plate 42 in the preferred embodiment may be related to another type of construction as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 for a third preferred embodiment of the present invention. The upper part is articulated to the first articulation plate 41 in the cover 2; its middle part related to a fixation section is locked to a slot on the end wall of the tank 1; and its lower end related to an elastic press member tightly compresses to match with the internal unit and either solder to or adhered to the middle part, i.e., the fixation section of the second articulation plate. The purpose of the construction is to overcome the difficulty encountered in the process of integrating the press ember at the lower part of the second articulation plate 41 that is flexible, the flexible middle part, and the upper part. In the third preferred embodiment, the first articulation plate 41 in the cover 2 is comprised of three integrated parts. Wherein, the lower part is articulated to the second articulation plate 42 in the tank 1; its middle part related to a fixation section is locked to the slot disposed on the wall, and the part 411 extended from the upper part and the inner sidewall of the cover 2 define a cavity 5 to accommodate a locating member 31 of the internal unit 3. The locating member 31 is articulated to one end of the body of the internal unit 3. Similarly, the first articulation plate 41 may be provided in other forms, e.g., the middle part is fastened with a screw, soldered, or adhered to the cover 2. 

1. A gas lighter includes a hollow tank, a cover and an internal unit; a chamber being disposed in the cover at where in relation to the tank; the chamber of the cover and that of the tank defining a cavity to accommodate the internal unit of the gas lighter; the tank being articulated by means of a hinge to an end wall on the top of the opening of the tank; the hinge being comprised of a first articulation plate and a second articulation plate; the first and the second articulation plates being articulated to each other by means of an articulation pivot; the first articulation plate being locked to the inner wall of the cover; the second articulation plate being locked to the inner wall of the tank; an elastic press member extending from the articulation plate disposed in the tank towards one end at the bottom of the tank; and the elastic press member being matched to the internal unit by tightly compressing it.
 2. The gas lighter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the relation between the extended part from the articulation plate disposed in the tank towards one end at the bottom of the tank indicates a fork shape to match with the internal unit in the tank by compression.
 3. The gas lighter as claimed in claim 1, wherein a protrusion is disposed at the extended part from the articulation plate disposed in the tank towards one end at the bottom of the tank indicates a fork shape to match with the internal unit in the tank by compression.
 4. The gas lighter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second articulation plate in the tank is comprised of three integrated parts; the upper part being articulated to the first articulation plate in the cover; the middle part related to a fixation section being inserted into a slot disposed on the end wall; and its lower part related to an elastic member to be matched with the internal unit by compression.
 5. The gas lighter as claimed in claim 2, wherein the second articulation plate in the tank is comprised of three integrated parts; the upper part being articulated to the first articulation plate in the cover; the middle part related to a fixation section being inserted into a slot disposed on the end wall; and its lower part related to an elastic member to be matched with the internal unit by compression.
 6. The gas lighter as claimed in claim 3, wherein the second articulation plate in the tank is comprised of three integrated parts; the upper part being articulated to the first articulation plate in the cover; the middle part related to a fixation section being inserted into a slot disposed on the end wall; and its lower part related to an elastic member to be matched with the internal unit by compression.
 7. The gas lighter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second articulation plate in the cover is comprised of three integrated parts; the upper part being articulated to the first articulation plate in the cover; the middle part related to a fixation section being soldered or adhered to the inner side of the end wall or inserted into a slot disposed on the end wall; and its lower part related to an elastic member to be matched with the internal unit by compression and locked or soldered to the fixation section of the second articulation plate.
 8. The gas lighter as claimed in claim 2, wherein the second articulation plate in the cover is comprised of three integrated parts; the upper part being articulated to the first articulation plate in the cover; the middle part related to a fixation section being soldered or adhered to the inner side of the end wall or inserted into a slot disposed on the end wall; and its lower part related to an elastic member to be matched with the internal unit by compression and locked or soldered to the fixation section of the second articulation plate.
 9. The gas lighter as claimed in claim 3, wherein the second articulation plate in the cover is comprised of three integrated parts; the upper part being articulated to the first articulation plate in the cover; the middle part related to a fixation section being soldered or adhered to the inner side of the end wall or inserted into a slot disposed on the end wall; and its lower part related to an elastic member to be matched with the internal unit by compression and locked or soldered to the fixation section of the second articulation plate.
 10. The gas lighter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first articulation plate in the cover is comprised of three integrated parts; the lower part being articulated to the second articulation plate in the tank; the middle part related to a fixation section; and its upper part extended to define a cavity with the inner side wall of the cover for accommodation a locating member of the internal unit; and the locating member is articulated to one end of the body of the internal unit.
 11. The gas lighter as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first articulation plate in the cover is comprised of three integrated parts; the lower part being articulated to the second articulation plate in the tank; the middle part related to a fixation section; and its upper part extended to define a cavity with the inner side wall of the cover for accommodation a locating member of the internal unit; and the locating member is articulated to one end of the body of the internal unit.
 12. The gas lighter as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first articulation plate in the cover is comprised of three integrated parts; the lower part being articulated to the second articulation plate in the tank; the middle part related to a fixation section; and its upper part extended to define a cavity with the inner side wall of the cover for accommodation a locating member of the internal unit; and the locating member is articulated to one end of the body of the internal unit.
 13. The gas lighter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first articulation plate disposed in the cover is comprised of three integrated parts; the lower part being articulated to the second articulation plate in the tank; the middle part related to a fixation section being locked to the cover; and its upper part extended to define a cavity with the inner side wall of the cover for accommodation a locating member of the internal unit; and the locating member is articulated to one end of the body of the internal unit.
 14. The gas lighter as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first articulation plate disposed in the cover is comprised of three integrated parts; the lower part being articulated to the second articulation plate in the tank; the middle part related to a fixation section being locked to the cover; and its upper part extended to define a cavity with the inner side wall of the cover for accommodation a locating member of the internal unit; and the locating member is articulated to one end of the body of the internal unit.
 15. The gas lighter as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first articulation plate disposed in the cover is comprised of three integrated parts; the lower part being articulated to the second articulation plate in the tank; the middle part related to a fixation section being locked to the cover; and its upper part extended to define a cavity with the inner side wall of the cover for accommodation a locating member of the internal unit; and the locating member is articulated to one end of the body of the internal unit.
 16. The gas lighter as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first articulation plate disposed in the cover is comprised of three integrated parts; the lower part being articulated to the second articulation plate in the tank; the middle part related to a fixation section; and its upper part extended to define a cavity with the inner side wall of the cover for accommodation a locating member of the internal unit; and the locating member is articulated to one end of the body of the internal unit.
 17. The gas lighter as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first articulation plate disposed in the cover is comprised of three integrated parts; the lower part being articulated to the second articulation plate in the tank; the middle part related to a fixation section; and its upper part extended to define a cavity with the inner side wall of the cover for accommodation a locating member of the internal unit; and the locating member is articulated to one end of the body of the internal unit.
 18. The gas lighter as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first articulation plate disposed in the cover is comprised of three integrated parts; the lower part being articulated to the second articulation plate in the tank; the middle part related to a fixation section; and its upper part extended to define a cavity with the inner side wall of the cover for accommodation a locating member of the internal unit; and the locating member is articulated to one end of the body of the internal unit.
 19. The gas lighter as claimed in claim 7, wherein the first articulation plate disposed in the cover is comprised of three integrated parts; the lower part being articulated to the second articulation plate in the tank; the middle part related to a fixation section being locked to the cover; and its upper part extended to define a cavity with the inner side wall of the cover for accommodation a locating member of the internal unit; and the locating member is articulated to one end of the body of the internal unit.
 20. The gas lighter as claimed in claim 8, wherein the first articulation plate disposed in the cover is comprised of three integrated parts; the lower part being articulated to the second articulation plate in the tank; the middle part related to a fixation section being locked to the cover; and its upper part extended to define a cavity with the inner side wall of the cover for accommodation a locating member of the internal unit; and the locating member is articulated to one end of the body of the internal unit.
 21. The gas lighter as claimed in claim 9, wherein the first articulation plate disposed in the cover is comprised of three integrated parts; the lower part being articulated to the second articulation plate in the tank; the middle part related to a fixation section being locked to the cover; and its upper part extended to define a cavity with the inner side wall of the cover for accommodation a locating member of the internal unit; and the locating member is articulated to one end of the body of the internal unit.
 22. The gas lighter as claimed in claim 7, wherein the first articulation plate disposed in the cover is comprised of three integrated parts; the lower part being articulated to the second articulation plate in the tank; the middle part related to a fixation section being soldered or adhered to the inner side of the end wall; and its upper part extended to define a cavity with the inner side wall of the cover for accommodation a locating member of the internal unit; and the locating member is articulated to one end of the body of the internal unit.
 23. The gas lighter as claimed in claim 8, wherein the first articulation plate disposed in the cover is comprised of three integrated parts; the lower part being articulated to the second articulation plate in the tank; the middle part related to a fixation section being soldered or adhered to the inner side of the end wall; and its upper part extended to define a cavity with the inner side wall of the cover for accommodation a locating member of the internal unit; and the locating member is articulated to one end of the body of the internal unit.
 24. The gas lighter as claimed in claim 9, wherein the first articulation plate disposed in the cover is comprised of three integrated parts; the lower part being articulated to the second articulation plate in the tank; the middle part related to a fixation section being soldered or adhered to the inner side of the end wall; and its upper part extended to define a cavity with the inner side wall of the cover for accommodation a locating member of the internal unit; and the locating member is articulated to one end of the body of the internal unit. 